Brazilian Concerns May Hinder Venezuela’s Path to BRICS Membership

The BRICS group is preparing for expansion, with an announcement expected at its October summit in Russia. However, Brazil is apprehensive about Venezuela’s potential inclusion due to political tensions, especially following disputed elections in Venezuela. Brazilian officials indicate that Venezuela was not included in an initial proposal for new members, complicating its aspirations to join the bloc.

The BRICS coalition, comprising Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa, is set to expand its membership with an anticipated announcement during its annual summit in Kazan, Russia, this October. However, Brazil’s apprehensions regarding Venezuela’s potential inclusion have been reported, particularly following discussions at the recent United Nations General Assembly. According to Brazilian officials who requested anonymity, Venezuela was notably absent from an initial list of potential new members distributed by Russia among the BRICS nations. Russia, currently in charge of the BRICS presidency, aims to foster consensus among member states about the invitees before the forthcoming summit, scheduled for October 22 to 24. Notably, Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov indicated that the bloc could welcome as many as ten new members during this round of expansion. In January, BRICS expanded to include Iran, Ethiopia, the United Arab Emirates, and Egypt. Despite these developments, Brazilian diplomats have warned that discussions concerning expansion remain in preliminary stages and no definitive choices have been reached. Venezuela’s aspirations for BRICS membership are complicated by the fallout from the disputed elections in July, which have led to a deterioration in relations between Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. The Brazilian leadership, alongside various international voices, has advocated for transparency by urging Venezuela’s National Electoral Council (CNE) to disclose comprehensive voting data to verify the legitimacy of the election results. Moreover, Brazil has reportedly vetoed the potential inclusion of Nicaragua, another ally of Russia whose relationship with Lula has soured significantly over the past year. Venezuela’s Foreign Minister, Yván Gil, asserted that the nation is actively engaged in all BRICS discussions and is only awaiting official confirmation of its membership. In a forthright warning to the United States and its allies, President Maduro indicated a willingness to transfer oil and gas resources to BRICS countries, citing heightened U.S. scrutiny following the election deemed fraudulent by many observers. Looking ahead, the latest expansion is expected to incorporate nations as partners rather than fully integrated members, according to information from a Russian official involved in the developments. Additionally, BRICS is endeavoring to establish a unified framework for payments and settlements among member states for intra-group trade, as indicated by Russian President Vladimir Putin during recent discussions. As per estimates from global financial institutions, BRICS nations collectively account for approximately 46% of the world’s population and over 36% of the global GDP.

The BRICS group has emerged as a significant coalition of major emerging economies, which has gained attention for its collective influence on the global stage. With a notable population and economic share, the group has been exploring avenues for expansion to enhance its geopolitical clout. However, the inclusion of new members is contingent upon consensus among existing members, particularly amidst regional political complexities. This dynamic is exemplified in the case of Venezuela, whose political situation has raised concerns among other BRICS states, particularly Brazil, affecting its prospects of joining the bloc during the anticipated expansion deliberations.

In summary, while the BRICS coalition plans to expand, Venezuela’s inclusion remains contentious due to political tensions and strained diplomatic ties with Brazil. The upcoming summit will be pivotal in determining the future composition of BRICS and the membership status of potential candidates, including countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua. As the bloc navigates these challenges, the focus will also be on economic collaboration and establishing joint frameworks for trade among member states.

Original Source: www.intellinews.com